Russia

Team Russia won all four of their preliminary round games to finish atop Group A before being eliminated in the playoff round by Switzerland at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship.

Each U18 tournament brings an upset or two, and the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship has been no different. Probably the biggest upset took place in a quarter-final game today, with host country Switzerland eliminating Russia in a shocking 5-0 win. The Swiss had not beaten the Russians at this tournament since 1999, which was the first year for the U18. Read more»

Photo: Stavanger Oilers forward Rudolfs Balcers has competed in Norway since the 2011-12 season, and he is currently competing in Norway’s top league (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt)

Although they are tied with Switzerland for the bottom position in Group B at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, Team Latvia’s performance at this tournament has not been without its good points. The team has generally been competitive in each of their games, and they did manage to produce six goals against Canada. Read more»

Photo: Team Russia settled for a silver medal at the U20 World Junior Championship, but will be looking to earn gold at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship (courtesy of Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)

Photo: Team Latvia will bring another group of hard-working players to the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship, but will be challenged to avoid the relegation round (courtesy of ALEXANDER NEMENOV/AFP/Getty Images)

After a promotion following their first-place showing at last year’s U18 World Championship Divsion I Group A tournament held in Nice, France, Team Latvia will fight for survival in Switzerland at the 2015 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship to avoid relegation back to that lower level.Read more»

Photo: Erie Otters forward and 2015 prospect Connor McDavid picked up 14 points in his team’s 4-game sweep of the London Knights in the 2015 OHL playoffs (courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

In this week’s feature, one unfortunate play does not define a player who has been defying expectations his entire career. A future first-overall prospect does it again, while other top draft-eligible prospects produce highlight reel plays. Other top prospects from around the globe notch game-winners, first professional goals, and one goaltender has the hearts of a city thanks to an improbable run to the playoffs. What more could you ask for from this week’s Prospect Impressions? Read more»